Behind the Scenes: Inside SWEPCO’s Massive Mobilization for Winter Storm Fern   

 

  

January 24, 2026 

 

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Shreveport, Louisiana – SWEPCO is providing media with exclusive Broll and visuals from a major staging ground in Shreveport, offering a rare look at the extensive, behind-the-scenes preparations underway as crews respond to Winter Storm Fern. 

Early Friday morning, the Shreveport staging site was already buzzing with activity as trucks rolled in, materials were unloaded, and crews were onboarded, safety trained and began to receive assignments. 

 

This is just one of several largescale operational bases SWEPCO has established across its Ark-La-Tex service territory including Shreveport, Louisiana; Texarkana, Arkansas and Longview, Texas with additional strategic locations elsewhere in the territory. Each location is designed to speed safe, efficient restoration as the storm moves through the region. 

 

Throughout the day Friday, SWEPCO teams worked to receive equipment, assemble materials, and welcome an incoming wave of utility professionals. Many are already on the ground, with more arriving from across the country.  

 

So far, crews from upwards of 14 states have committed to assist reflecting the hallmark of the electric utility industry: mutual assistance and neighbors supporting neighbors when severe weather strikes. 

 

By the early hours of Saturday morning, the staging area expanded even further as crews continued to mobilize and organize resources in preparation for what could become a massive restoration effort.  

 

Winter Storm Fern has delivered an unwelcome mix of sleet, snow and ice, which is a combination known to create significant challenges for both electric infrastructure and lineworkers.  

 

As of Saturday morning, crews were already actively mobilizing, assessing damage, and making repairs wherever conditions allow. 

 

“This is a prolonged multi-day storm event. With ice accumulations increasing, outages may grow and restoration may take time, but crews are in place and ready to safely restore power,” said Paul Pratt, Vice President of Customer Experience and New Business.  

 

These staging bases including the one shown in Friday’s Shreveport footage will continue to expand as additional resources arrive. Each site serves as a command center for logistics, crew coordination, and around-the-clock response, forming a unified effort to restore power to every customer as safely and efficiently as possible. 

 

SWEPCO will continue providing updates as Winter Storm Fern evolves and restoration progresses.